Remotely controlled wall switch operating means

ABSTRACT

A casing adapted to detachably mount on a wall switch over the cover plate and receive the switch lever having electromagnetic means for operating the switch lever and switch means at a remote point for controlling the electromagnetic means.

United States Patent 1 3,697,905

Athans, Jr. [4 1 Oct. 10, 1972 [54] REMOTELY CONTROLLED WALL 1,772,982 8/1930 Brachtl ..200/ 172 A SWITCH OPERATING MEANS 2,864,912 12/1958 Schmidt, ..335/69 [721 Inventor Jerry Mans, 6834 Mammoth 5:322:32? 5132? 3353x3111;::::::::::3f(22 Avenue Van Nuys Cahf- 91405 3,296,565 1/1967 Kiesel et a1. ..335/69 [22] Filed: March 9,1970

Primary Examiner-Harold Broome [21] Appl' 17,627 Attorney-Whann & McManigal 52 us. Cl ..335 1, 335/184 7 ABSTRACT [51] IILCL ..H0lh 9/00 A casing adapted to detachably mount on a wall Field Of switch over the cover plate and receive the switch 307/114, 115; 200/172 A, 51 LS; 317/1555; lever having electromagnetic means for operating the 74/104, 107 switch lever and switch means at a remote point for controlling the electromagnetic means. [56] References Cited v r r UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 2,171,267 8/1939 Doty ..335/168 REMOTELY CONTROLLED WALL SWITCH OPERATING MEANS This invention has to do with means for operating conventional electric wall switches from a remote point.

There are many instances where it is desirable to be able to operate the conventional wall switch controlling a part of the electrical wiring built into a residence or commercial building from a point distant or remote from the switch. One example is the case of an invalid confined to bed who could not otherwise operate the wall switch which may control a light in the room or an appliance. Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a novel, portable control means or device for operating a wall switch from a remote point.

A further object is to provide a novel device for operating a conventional electric wall switch which can be readily attached directly to the switch box over the cover plate by means of the cover plate retainer screws.

Another object is to provide a device of the type indicated which attaches directly to the switch box and which receives the switch lever within a novel movable bracket or cage together with electromagnetic means or a motor associated with the cage for moving it controllable from a remote location.

By way of summary, it is an object to provide a device which attaches directly to the conventional wall switch and receives the switch lever and employs electromagnetic units for operating the lever in conjunction with remote switch means for controlling the electromagnetic means and which has means for connecting the device to a source of electric current. These and other objects will be apparent from the drawing and the following description.

' Referring to the drawing:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of the invention and showing a device embodying the invention mounted on a wall switch;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device that mounts on the wall switch with the front wall broken away, but on a larger scale than FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the device of FIG. 2, substantially on line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an inverted plan view on line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative form of the invention.

More particularly describing the invention, in FIG. 1, a device 11 embodying the invention is shown mounted on a conventional electric wall switch 12 in the wall 13 of a building. The device is shown connected to an electric service outlet 14 by a two-wire cord 15. A remote control switch unit 16 is connected to the device 11 by a cable 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the device 11 comprises generally a rectangular box-like casing which is preferably made of metal having a rear wall 20, side walls 21 and 22, and a lower end wall 23.

An L-shaped cover provides a front wall 24 and an upper end wall 25 to enclose the casing, the cover being secured by a screw 26 in a flange 27 of the rear wall and by a screw 28 in a flange 29 at the lower edge of wall 24.

The rear wall is formed with a large opening 30 to receive freely the switch lever 31 of the conventional electric wall switch 12. The rear wall is also provided with two vertically spaced holes 33, each of which has an enlarged portion 33a of a size large enough to pass the head of the screw 35 which normally holds the switch cover plate 36 to the switch box and a narrow portion 33b wide enough to accommodate the shank of the screw. With this construction the casing may be readily mounted upon and in front of the cover plate by means of the regulation screws 35 that hold the cover plate 36 in place.

Although it is not essential, plastic guard tubes 37 may be mounted in the front wall 24 and extend rear wardly toward the rear wall 20 terminating short thereof to enable safe adjustment and manipulation of the screws 35 with a screwdriver when the device is being installed or removed.

Within the casing I provide two vertically spaced solenoids, designated 38 and 39, these having coils 38 and 39', respectively, receiving armatures 40 and 41, respectively. A cage 43 is mounted on and rigidly connects the armatures. This includes a bar 44 which has its ends received in slots 46 in the ends of the armatures and held by pins 47. The cage includes a U-shaped bracket 50 attached, as by a rivet 51, to the bar 44 and extending laterally thereof, this bracket being adapted to receive the switch lever 31. The outer ends of the two legs of the U-shaped lever are turned outwardly terminating in flanges 52 and preferably each of these is provided with a roller 53 adapted to run against the rear wall of the casing. The two flanges are also connected adjacent the cover by a glider plate 55, riveted in place at 56, which may be of plastic and which serves to maintain the position of the cage with respect to the parts and prevent rotation of it away from the rear wall, the glider being adapted to run against the cover in the event of any force tending to displace it in that direction.

The solenoids are oppositely acting so that when one is energized it will move the cage and thus the switch lever in one direction and when the other is energized it will move the cage and switch lever in the opposite direction. In order to control the device I provide the switch unit 16. This includes two single-pole, singlethrow, normally off, push button switches 58 which are connected into the circuit (see FIG. 6) so that either solenoid can be energized at a time. The cable 17 connecting the switch unit to the device 1 1 preferably contains a ground wire 60 so that when it is plugged into socket 61 of the casing, the switch unit will be grounded. In this connection it will be apparent that the mounting of the casing of the main unit on the screws 35 of the switch effectively grounds the entire device. I then provide the separate cord 15 which plugs into a jack at 63 for connecting the circuit to the nearest electric outlet.

While I have shown the device 11 connected to a remote source of electric energy by the electric cord 15 I contemplate that the device, if it is to remain in place for a long period of time, might be wired into the house wiring circuit at the switch box. Also, I contemplate that battery-operated direct current solenoids might be used in place of those shown. Altemately, I may employ a battery-operated low voltage d.c. motor (FIG. 7) with a rack and pinion drive 71 for the cage 43 which can be attached thereto. Batteries 73 can be connected selectively to either side of the motor by any suitable switching means such as that shown at 74. This is merely exemplary as is the switch means shown in FIG. 6. For example, the switch of such figure might be replaced by a single-pole, double-throw, momentary contact switch with a center off position.

I claim:

1. A remotely controlled wall switch operating means for use with wall switches of the type typically found in residential and commercial buildings for operating overhead lights, lamps, electrical appliances and the like comprising:

a. a casing adapted to be attached directly over the protective cover plate of a conventional wall switch of the type having a switch housing, a projecting switch lever, and retainer screws for affixing the cover plate to the switch housing, said casing having a rear wall with an opening to freely receive said switch lever and being provided with vertically spaced apertures configured and arranged to cooperately receive the retainer screws without necessitating the removal thereof from the switch housing so as to permit said casing to be removably secured to the wall switch without requiring the removal of the protective cover plate;

b. a pair of oppositely acting solenoids mounted in said casing;

c. a common armature element for said solenoids;

d. a cage fixedly attached to said armature element for movement therewith, said cage receiving said switch lever and being so constructed and arranged that said movement of said cage with said armature, when a solenoid is energized, serves to pivot said switch lever; and

e. an electric circuit means adapted to be connected to a source of electric current and including switch means at a remote point for selectively connecting said solenoids to the source of current.

2. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means of claim 1 in which said oppositely acting solenoid units are so constructed and arranged so that when one solenoid unit is energized by said electrical switch means it will move said cage and switch lever in one direction, and when the other solenoid unit is energized it will move said cage and switch lever in the opposite direction.

3. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means of claim 1 in which said switch lever is pivotally movable alternately from an off position to an on position and in which said oppositely acting solenoid units are so constructed and arranged that when one solenoid unit is connected to the source of current by said switch means it will move said cage in one direction, moving said switch lever into an on position, and when the other solenoid unit is connected to a source of electric current by said switch means it will move said cage in the other direction, pivotally moving said switch lever into an off position.

4. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means set forth in claim 1 in which said solenoids are spaced on a common axis.

5. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means set forth in claim 1 in which said electrical circuit means includes an electrical cord detachably connected at the casing at one end and adapted at the other end for reception in a conventional electrical outlet, and a multiwire cable detachably connected at one end at the casing and having said switch means at its other end.

6. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means set forth in claim 1 in which said cage comprises a generally U-shaped member of sheet material having rollers engageable with the rear wall of the casing and a glider for sliding engagement with a front wall of the casing.

7. A remotely controlled wall switch operating means for use with wall switches of the type typically found in residential and commercial buildings in which the wall switch is pivotally movable alternately from an off position to an on position for alternately tuming off and on lights, lamps, electrical appliances and the like, comprising:

a. a casing adapted to be attached directly over the protective cover plate of a conventional wall switch of the type having a switch housing, a projecting switch lever, and retainer screws for affixing the cover plate to the switch housing, said casing having a rear wall with an opening to freely receive said switch lever and being provided with vertically spaced apertures configured and arranged to cooperately receive the retainer screws without necessitating the removal thereof from the switch housing so as to permit said casing to be removably secured to the wall switch without requiring the removal of the protective cover plate;

b. a pair of vertically spaced oppositely acting solenoids mounted in said casing, said solenoids being spaced on a common axis;

c. a bar interconnecting the opposing ends of said solenoids;

d. a U-shaped cage fixedly attached to said bar for movement therewith, said cage receiving said switch lever and being so constructed and arranged that said movement of said cage with said armature when one solenoid is energized serves to pivot said switch lever into an on position and so that said movement of said cage with said armature when the other solenoid is energized serves to pivot said switch lever into an off position; and

e. electric circuit means connected to said solenoid units including electric switch means for selectively energizing one of said solenoid units and then the other of said solenoid units located at a remote point therefrom and electrical conductor cord means extending from said housing and adapted to be connected to a remote source of electrical current.

8. A remotely controlled wall switch operating means as defined in claim 7 in which the common axis of said solenoid units is parallel to the plane of pivotal movement of said switch lever and in which said cage is provided with rollers engageable with the rear wall of the casing and a glider for sliding engagement with a front wall of the casing. 

1. A remotely controlled wall switch operating means for use with wall switches of the type typically found in residential and commercial buildings for operating overhead lights, lamps, electrical appliances and the like comprising: a. a casing adapted to be attached directly over the protective cover plate of a conventional wall switch of the type having a switch housing, a projecting switch lever, and retainer screws for affixing the cover plate to the switch housing, said casing having a rear wall with an opening to freely receive said switch lever and being provided with vertically spaced apertures configured and arranged to cooperately receive the retainer screws without necessitating the removal thereof from the switch housing so as to permit said casing to be removably secured to the wall switch without requiring the removal of the protective cover plate; b. a pair of oppositely acting solenoids mounted in said casing; c. a common armature element for said solenoids; d. a cage fixedly attached to said armature element for movement therewith, said cage receiving said switch lever and being so constructed and arranged that said movement of said cage with said armature, when a solenoid is energized, serves to pivot said switch lever; and e. an electric circuit means adapted to be connected to a source of electric current and including switch means at a remote point for selectively connecting said solenoids to the source of current.
 2. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means of claim 1 in which said oppositely acting solenoid units are so constructed and arranged so that when one solenoid unit is energized by said electrical switch means it will move said cage and switch lever in one direction, and when the other solenoid unit is energized it will move said cage and switch lever in the opposite direction.
 3. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means of claim 1 in which said switch lever is pivotally movable alternately from an ''''off'''' position to an ''''on'''' position and in which said oppositely acting solenoid units are so constructed and arranged that when one solenoid unit is connected to the source of current by said switch means it will move said cage in one direction, moving said switch lever into an ''''on'''' position, and when the other solenoid unit is connected to a source of electric current by said switch means it will move said cage in the other direction, pivotally moving said switch lever into an ''''off'''' position.
 4. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means set forth in claim 1 in which said solenoids are spaced on a common axis.
 5. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means set forth in claim 1 in which said electrical circuit means includes an electrical cord detachably connected at the casing at one end and adapted at the other end for reception in a conventional electrical outlet, and a multiwire cable detachably connected at one end at the casing and having said switch means at its other end.
 6. The remotely controlled wall switch operating means set forth in claim 1 in which said cage comprises a generally U-shaped member of sheet material having rollers engageable with the rear wall of the casing and a glider for sliding engagement with a front wall of the casing.
 7. A remotely controlled wall switch operating means for use with wall switches of the type typically found in residential and commercial buildings in which the wall switch is pivotally movable alternately from an ''''off'''' position to an ''''on'''' position for alternately turning off and on lights, lamps, electrical appliances and the like, comprising: a. a casing adapted to be attached directly over the protective cover plate of a conventional wall switch of the type having a switch housing, a projecting switch lever, and retainer screws for affixing the cover plate to the switch housing, said casing having a rear wall with an opening to freely receive said switch lever and being provided with vertically spaced apertures configured and arranged to cooperately receive the retainer screws without necessitating the removal thereof from the sWitch housing so as to permit said casing to be removably secured to the wall switch without requiring the removal of the protective cover plate; b. a pair of vertically spaced oppositely acting solenoids mounted in said casing, said solenoids being spaced on a common axis; c. a bar interconnecting the opposing ends of said solenoids; d. a U-shaped cage fixedly attached to said bar for movement therewith, said cage receiving said switch lever and being so constructed and arranged that said movement of said cage with said armature when one solenoid is energized serves to pivot said switch lever into an ''''on'''' position and so that said movement of said cage with said armature when the other solenoid is energized serves to pivot said switch lever into an ''''off'''' position; and e. electric circuit means connected to said solenoid units including electric switch means for selectively energizing one of said solenoid units and then the other of said solenoid units located at a remote point therefrom and electrical conductor cord means extending from said housing and adapted to be connected to a remote source of electrical current.
 8. A remotely controlled wall switch operating means as defined in claim 7 in which the common axis of said solenoid units is parallel to the plane of pivotal movement of said switch lever and in which said cage is provided with rollers engageable with the rear wall of the casing and a glider for sliding engagement with a front wall of the casing. 